May 13, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

You will read in the next two chapters a sorrowful event in David's life.  Though I speak as a commentator on this event, I recognize failure in my own life too.  God is a holy God and expects His people, especially those with advantage, to be living a holy and righteous life.  David failed and would face the consequences.  But God also showed that a grievous sin does not alter God's ability to work in a humbled and broken man.  May God teach all of us a very important lesson:  A godly man can fall, but a humbled and broken man can be raised  up again.

2 Samuel 11 - This is probably one of the saddest chapters in the Bible as it records David's sins of adultery and murder.  Verse 3 should have altered the rest of this sorry account in David's life.  When he knew Bathsheba was Uriah's wife, he should have turned away from his lust.  But then he added to his sin by trying to cover up what he had already done.  Sin breeds sin.  It was bad enough that David would commit adultery with a man's wife, but then David had Uriah "murdered-by-warfare."  He didn't shoot the arrow himself, but he had Uriah put in the line of fire.  God was rightfully angered.

2 Samuel 12 - "Thou art the man" is the way this chapter should be remembered.  Nathan the prophet confronted David with his sin by bringing up a scenario where a good man was taken advantage of by a wealthy, influential man.  Obviously Nathan was pointing directly at David.  The judgment against David was the death of his son though he should have been stoned to death himself.  God showed mercy and David showed remorse.  Solomon would eventually be born to become the next king over Israel.  God could have chosen a different wife to be the mother, but He chose Bathsheba. 

1 Chronicles 20 - The Holy Spirit chose to have the writer of 1 Chronicles not include the account of David's great sin.  David is seen here as continuing to conquer opposing armies.  God still used a humbled David which shows God's grace and mercy.  He is still the same God today!